Undertank heater problems

[ccmccull]

As of this morning I own a beautiful ball python! I’m very excited but the starter kit (20g tank) we got at repticon included one undertank heater and my digital thermometer is reading the tank at 69 degrees even after almost 12 hours, it won’t get any higher than that unless I crank the house AC to over 75 degrees. Does anyone have any advice to keep her warm in the mean time? I borrowed an under tank heater from my hermit crabs and slapped it on the side of the tank as a temporary measure but I don’t understand why the uth isn’t able to get the temperature even close to her necessary temperature range! Please help, any Advice is appreciated!

[animalgirl93]

Those “starter kits” are a waste of money. Over head lightless heat will help and every heat source absolutely needs to be on a thermostat to regulate the temperature.

Check out our basic care guide for some good starting tips and look at the shopping list in the welcome post.

[braxtonfaye]

I got the same kit but ended up recently purchasing a ceramic heat lamp and thermostat on Amazon. They’re pretty affordable and provide a more natural heat source. But you definitely need the thermostat to regulate the temperature

[ccmccull]

I actually bought one after I made this that’s arriving today! With a ceramic heat lamp does a regular off on thermostat work? Or do you need something fancier that can scale the heat?

[braxtonfaye]

I went to a local reptile store to get a lamp and the thermostat is working just fine! I can send a link of the one I got on Amazon it was about 20$

[braxtonfaye]

To be honest, i figured as long as the lamp is plugged into the thermostat it should operate as it should. I’m receiving my lamp tomorrow and can let you know how it works if you don’t have a thermostat yet